10 • Professional training & development


High flyers C


arole-Anne Sur, 54, was 50 when she lost her job working with behavioural


needs children. A single mum with three children aged between 18 and 29, Carole-Anne is now a flight attendant with British Airways and says joining the airline is the best decision she’s ever made. “I’m having the time of my life,”


she says. “It’s more than a job, it’s become a lifestyle. I prefer working long-haul flights and I’ve been to some amazing places that I could only ever have imagined visiting, including India and the Bahamas. “The training is no picnic, and


I was known as ‘Mama BA’ in our group as I was old enough to be my colleagues’ mum. But I knew I could do it and, like anything in life, you get out of it what you put in.” Despite the hours and the


demands of dealing with different time zones, Carole-Anne says she can foresee working for BA until retirement. “l love what I do and I feel very proud of myself when I put my BA uniform on, so I’m going nowhere until I’m asked!” BA is not the only carrier taking on older workers, EasyJet is also


New Year Business Guide - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 11 January 2023


Still waiting for your professional life to lift off? Janie Lawrence examines the benefits of changing careers in your 50s and beyond


flying the flag for middle-aged flight attendants. Since 2018 there’s been a 27% increase in EasyJet cabin crew over the age of 45 and, within the past year a 30% increase in those over 60. One of its newest employees has just taken to the skies at 63 and in their latest recruitment drive they are specifically targeting ‘empty nesters.’ Michael Brown, director of


cabin services for EasyJet, says: “We want more talented people in this demographic to bring their wealth of life experience and transferable skills, such as customer service and people management, to the airline industry.” Unfortunately, few companies


appear to be following airlines’ lead. Anti-ageism policies may be the law but speak to any jobseekers in this age group and they’ll tell you that, in practice, it’s a very different story. Older workers, particularly women, for example, oſten face a barrage of rejection letters. Sue, 62 was a senior marketing


executive on £60,000 a year when she felt ‘pushed out’ by her company and now works for a local charity in a substantially more junior position with a significant drop in


salary. “Initially, I was very upset, but with hindsight it was for the best,” she says. “I have so much less responsibility now so I’m much less stressed than I used to be. Financially, it was a shock but my husband is still working so we have two incomes. As I’m working for a good cause, it makes me feel fulfilled because I know I’m making a difference to people’s lives and I’m giving back to the community.” Simon Wingate, the managing


director of Reed.co.uk, one of Britain’s leading job sites, says that there’s roughly nine million people over 50 in employment in the UK, up 10,000 on a year ago, with many enticed back into work by the cost of living crisis. He advises over-50s jobseekers to show a willingness to upskill and focus on their experience and past responsibilities. “Many employers have reviewed


their recruitment process and now undergo training to try and mitigate any recruitment bias and ensure that their hiring panel is more diverse. People in this age bracket bring a huge amount to an organisation with their vast life experience and understanding of the world.”


CAROLE-ANNE IN HER BA UNIFORM


“I love what I do and I feel very proud of myself every time I put my British Airways uniform on, so I’m going nowhere until I’m asked!”


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